Today’s World

I haven’t said anything about what’s been going on in the world lately because I don’t believe in saying anything bad and I don’t believe in giving my opinion unless doing so will be helpful.

The more this has gone on, though, the more I feel the need to say something.

I want to speak some truth about the current world situation.

 

The  truth of our world’s current crisis is this:

The world is broken and will never be completely fixed until Jesus comes back.

Because of this, there is always going to be something bad going on in the world.

That doesn’t mean it is okay that these things are going on.

It doesn’t mean we should just accept it, turn a blind eye, and keep going.

On the contrary, we should be fighting against these terrible injustices wherever and whenever they rear their ugly heads.

 

The thing is, these dramas and traumas are only symptoms of the problem.

The problem is people have turned away from God and are now doing what is pleasing in their own sight instead of trying to honor God and do what He wants.

Society has turned from God’s truth and focused on chasing sin.

 

We’ve lost sight of what Jesus said are the first and second greatest commandments.

 

In Matthew chapter 22 the Pharisees were trying to test Jesus.

One of them asked Him which was the greatest commandment in the law.

Jesus responded in verse 37 that we are to, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

He went on to say in verse 39, “and the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

 

The only way this insanity in our culture will end is for everyone – on both sides of the issue – to love others as much as they love themselves.

We have to stop looking at what we can get or take from the other and start thinking about what we can lovingly give or do for them.

 

 

But, that alone is not enough.

We must take it a step further.

We must choose to “be imitators of God and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” (Ephesians 5:2)

Like God, we must “be compassionate and gracious; slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15)

When we love with this purity, wanting what is best and good and right and just for others, even if it is inconvenient for us or we disagree with them and/or their choices/lifestyles/beliefs, then and only then will we as a society begin to heal.

Not just culturally; not just politically; but most importantly, spiritually.

This will bring healing in all ways, across all lines.

Then, and only then, can we make headway.

 

It won’t be easy.

It will take time.

But, it can be done.

 

Where does it start?

It starts with you.

It starts with me.

It starts with each of us doing what we can where we are to prayerfully reach out in love to someone around us who is different than we are.

We have to bravely show them God’s love, seeking to do right by them.

We have to speak up for those who either can’t speak for themselves or who won’t be heard because of who they are.

We must pray for them, asking God to intervene in their situations and in their lives.

We must receive their love when they reach out to us, even if it is an awkward attempt; even if it doesn’t look the way we think love could and should look.

 

When we begin to reach out and love others, receiving the love they have to offer, and continue to love those that can’t/won’t love us in return, then we begin to breach the space between heaven and earth and make room for God to come in and intervene on not just their behalf but on behalf of all mankind.

That’s a pretty good place to start.

 

 

“He has showed you, O man, what is good.

 And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly

and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.”

~Micah 6:8 (NIV)

 

For further reading – Mark 12:28-31